Suffering...

Well, there is a reason why I am squinting in the photo -- it was bright as heck! Amazing that I even did the ride, considering I almost coughed up a lung last night! I have battling something all week -- a cold or the pollen. I knew I probably shouldn't ride, but Kevin showed up, and Eddie rode 29 miles from his house. I couldn't let them down. I did finally change my cranks from 172.5mm to 175mm -- what a difference!!! I know that 2.5mm doesn't sound like much (1/10th of an inch), but the extra leverage definitely helped! Not only could I sprint/climb better, but I could really tell the difference sitting in the saddle -- so much more power. I think Eddie could even see the effect. Other than being drained from being sick, I felt like my old self again. Plus, I didn't spin out -- I always felt that I had more power available.

We cut the ride short (26 miles). Kevin had family obligations, Eddie had to ride the 29 miles back home, and I didn't want to make things worse on myself than I probably already had. It was a great ride, albeit chilly and windy. Is the hot weather coming?

Finally -- warmer weather!

The ride Sunday was good. As Will would say, Chris dropped the hammer from the parking lot. Maybe it was the warm weather, maybe it was just trying to up the average speed, but he was on a mission. It was Chris, John, myself, and Alan. The problem with the ride is that the hills definitely make the ride appear to be slower than it really is. Nothing wrong with that -- it is just that the numbers don't seem to correlate to the effort we put in.

Good day, cold ride

Chris and I were the only ones to ride. It was COLD in the morning! My hands were numb. Of course, it was finally warming up when we finished. We decided to take the obligatory post-ride photo. Ok, let me get this straight. I understand (sort of) closing my eyes every time I have a photo taken inside due to the flash... But OUTSIDE?!!! What the heck?!!

PLEASE NOTE: The shop ride will be starting at 9AM next week.

BLUE's Clues

I met Eddie for the pre-ride breakfast at Waffle House. I was still wiped out from the night before. We did the ride, but I will admit that I was dragging. It was a gorgeous day and perfect weather. I really had a great time, and I am glad I got out. We all rode our BLUE bikes, so we should now be called "BLUE's clues" (or "clueless"). Afterward, we hit Mellow Mushroom for pizza as a break from the regular of Mexican.

Cold, cold ride!

It was my own fault. I wore what I thought was plenty of clothing -- base layer, jersey, vest, arm warmers, and winter bibs. All of those items were perfect. However, before we left I was questioning whether I should wear warmer gloves and knee warmers. I decided against both -- big mistake! The ride never got much above 40 degrees. Felt slight rain with about 8 miles left, but luckily it passed. Chris and Sarah were the brave souls today. Sarah decided not to do the race today (which is why Eddie did not ride), so she made it out. We had a great time, but it was definitely cold! It is now 5PM and I am still trying to warm up. Going out for pizza after the ride was worth it, though! All I could think about during the ride was, "only 25 more miles until food... only 22.5 more miles until food..." HAHA

Should we ride?

Everyone kept talking about the rain yesterday, so I was pretty confident that we wouldn't ride. The main players had already said that they weren't riding. However, I decided to go to the shop to clean up from the crazy last few days.

I settled into my chair in the office to check emails and start working. At 10, I heard the door chime (the door was open). Greg was there with Shawn ready to ride... I decided that I should be riding my own shop ride, so I got dressed and headed out. We did 30 miles at a steady pace -- only a few drops. I am so glad that I got out!

Beautiful day, chilly ride!

Technically, it was a perfectly gorgeous day -- for FEBRUARY! However, it was deceiving. John (not pictured -- rode to shop and home), Hardy, Chris, and I were the brave riders today. As we were about to leave, Chris was removing his arm warmers and gloves -- it was actually hot in the parking lot. We discussed it for a second, and I knew that I had been fooled too many times, so I decided to keep my warm weather gear on. For the first time ever, I actually made a smart decision! As soon as we headed down Cole CT, we could feel the cool air in the shade, as well as the wind. That was just the beginning. Except for the very last portion of the ride, it was incredibly cold, and the wind was ferocious at times. As I rode beside Chris, I mentioned to him that his hands were purple! However, he is incredibly resilient -- he toughed it out for the whole ride.

We rode quite hard today. We charged up most of the hills, and by the end of the ride I could feel the effects. Due to squats a few days ago, and running last night, my legs were basically spent by the end. A few miles from the shop, my quads cramped up -- I was glad we were almost back! Overall it was a great ride! The only thing which would have made it better would have been going to Frontera afterward. However, everyone had obligations. I want to thank Hardy and John for making it out today!

Debut of the RC8!

Today's ride was great! It was my first time on a bike in a month, and the first time I have ridden my RC8. It was incredible! At first I thought there was no way I could get used to the paddle shifters of the SRAM Red group, but it only took a few minutes. I loved it! Additionally, I had forgotten about the Nokon cables -- that is a good thing. If I don't think about it, then that means they were doing their job. They were flawless! This bike is the best I have ridden/owned to date! I can't wait until the next ride.

I was just pacing myself since I haven't ridden in so long and didn't want to bonk. Chris was riding great. Eddie had done a long ride with his team the day before, so he was nice enough to hang back when I was lagging. Finally, we lost Chris so we just rode back to the shop.

When Chris showed up, we took the obligatory shop ride photo, but then he decided we needed to spice it up somehow. Anyone who knows me knows that I am normally very reserved in this regard. He wouldn't relent, so I finally broke down and decided to do the Charlie's Angels shot -- it was actually pretty funny! I figure, what the heck? I can become more spontaneous and goofy, right?

Afterward, we went to Frontera for the usual post-ride meal.

I showed up at the shop this morning, thinking no one would be here for the ride. I was getting the bike ready, and I had decided to go do loops at Columns -- I was in no mood to try to figure out a ride for myself. I was tired of making excuses for not riding, but I wanted to have the ability to ride as much (or little) as I wanted to. I just wanted to get out... Well, I went to the front door for some reason, and three people were in my parking lot ready to ride! Philip (have known him for 15 years from other shops), Nick, and Will. Well, I had no choice. I knew it would be miserable since I haven't touched a bike in exactly a month. I was not disappointed. Nick and Will have been training/racing all of last year, but they still took it relatively easy. Running has helped my cardio immensely, but that doesn't do much for the legs. I need to get serious about this now. it was great catching up with Philip -- he and I just talked in the back most of the time. I did some sprints and hill climbs, but I will admit that I am definitely nowhere near where I want to be yet. After the ride (~30 miles), Nick and Will continued on, and Philip and I hit Frontera for Mexican and beer.

No ride today due to rain.

No ride today due to rain -- see blog...

I couldn't rally the troops to ride today. So what if it was sub-40 degrees and 40+mph wind gusts? Wimps... So, did I ride?... er... uh...

No base layer today -- the temperature was above 70! Since Chris was the only one who showed up today, he and I rode approximately 40 miles to Stone Mountain, did a lap, and came back to the shop. We thought we might make a route for future rides, but it won't happen -- just too dangerous. However, we had a blast, and Chris saved me with Jelly Bellies (I forgot any food, of course)!

Base layer or no base layer? Hmm... Brian, Chris, and I did the "normal" route -- approximately 33 miles. Although it was windy and slightly chilly, the day was perfect for riding. I tried a pair of Craft winter bib shorts -- incredible! The fleece lining made a huge difference. I should have worn leg warmers. I also used a pair of Tifosi Dolomite sunglasses. They are the first set of glasses with a framed border which I have felt comfortable wearing -- I don't feel as though I am visually claustrophobic. VERY nice glasses! Vanna wants his fans to know that he will be back shortly from the maternity ward, with tales of base mileage for all of the girls and boys!... Joe is stopping by to help organize the shop this afternoon, then hopefully we will grab a beer!

Special Ed came by to hang out for the day, since he gets actual days off (I remember the corporate world). Just my luck... To add insult to injury, he decided we had to do a "base mileage" ride for two hours before I opened. My hands are still numb -- it was chilly!...

The "Death Ride" (otherwise known as the first time Eddie led the ride). It was a beautiful morning, and the ride was going along great... until the 30mph dash on Peachtree Industrial Blvd! Somehow, the leader got a little messed up. Oh well -- we survived. Perfect day and a perfect ride. Joseph, Curtis, Eddie (kneeling), Brian, and myself. Joseph brought me a Dale's Pale Ale to try -- refreshing and hydrating!

Sarah Crawford, Kevin O'Brien, Eddie "Vanna" Hsu, myself, and Chris "Captain Morgan" Griggs did the 30-mile loop with Chris leading. It was windy and chilly, but a perfect day. To finish off a perfect ride, we headed to Frontera for some Mexican food and 32 ounce Amber Bachs!

Tim Thompson and his friend Lisa joined me for a ride to Berkley Lake where we did five laps -- the ride was almost exactly 30 miles. Tim kept me honest on the hill climb sprints. The ride should be larger next week.

Inaugural ride

The first shop ride began today. Eddie Hsu, Chris Griggs, and myself (Scott Mosko) took an easy 30-mile ride to start deciding on the route. Chris was nice enough to lead the ride, and the ride went out near Duluth. In the coming weeks we should have a route set.